Mets, Wright, Reach $138-Million Deal

New York — The face of the New York Mets plans to stick around for quite a while.

All-Star third baseman David Wright and the Mets agreed yesterday to a $138 million, eight-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The deal, the richest in franchise history, replaces Wright’s $16 million salary for next season and includes $122 million in new money, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement was not yet final. Some of the money in Wright’s deal will be deferred.

A homegrown fan favorite, Wright is the club’s career leader in several major offensive categories including hits, RBIs, runs and walks.

Wright, who turns 30 on Dec. 20, would have been eligible for free agency after next season. The Mets also are trying to reach a deal with Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey, who can become a free agent after next season.

The team also announced yesterday that it had tendered contracts to the other 30 unsigned players on the major league roster.

Atchison was 2-1 with a 1.58 ERA in 42 games last season, all in relief. Hill made 25 relief appearances for the Red Sox, going 1-0 with a 1.83 ERA. Sweeney hit .260 with no homers and 16 RBIs in 63 games and was on the disabled list three times.

The team also appointed Victor Rodriguez as assistant hitting coach. Greg Colbrunn became the hitting coach on Wednesday under new manager John Farrell. Rodriguez was Boston’s minor league hitting coordinator the past six seasons.

Rivera, Yanks Finalize Deal

New York — As promised, Mariano Rivera is staying with the New York Yankees for another season.

After missing most of the season because of a knee injury, Rivera accepted a cut in guaranteed money when he finalized a $10 million, one-year contract yesterday.

The all-time saves leader, who turned 43 on Thursday, took a cut from his $30 million deal that had covered the last two years. But he can earn an additional $500,000 if he is MVP of the league championship series, $1 million if he is MVP of the World Series and $1 million if he wins the Rolaids Relief Award.

Rivera was limited to nine games this year after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while tracking down a fly ball during batting practice in Kansas City on May 3.

The 26-year-old Hanson set a career high with 13 wins this year but his 4.48 ERA also was a career worst. The right-hander was 45-32 in four seasons with the Braves.

Walden had 32 saves in 2011, then lost his closer’s role to Ernesto Frieri and was 3-2 with a 3.46 ERA and one save this year. He became superfluous when the Angels agreed this week to a $3.5 million, one-year contract with Ryan Madson.

Atlanta also claimed right-hander David Carpenter off waivers from Boston.

Pirates Sign Catcher

Pittsburgh — A day after agreeing to the deal in principle, the Pirates signed free-agent catcher Russell Martin to a $17 million, two-year contract yesterday.

Martin, 29, a three-time All-Star, hit .211 with 21 homers and 53 RBIs in 133 games last year with the New York Yankees. Martin’s batting average has declined in each of the last five seasons after he hit .293 and made his first All-Star game while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007.

The signing reunites Martin with right-hander A.J. Burnett. The two played together with the Yankees in 2011 before Burnett was traded to Pittsburgh last spring.

Perfect Game Pitcher Joins Astros

Houston — The Houston Astros claimed Philip Humber off waivers from the Chicago White Sox and agreed to a one-year contract with the pitcher who threw a perfect game last season.

Humber gets an $800,000 salary next year. There is a club option for $3 million in 2014 with a $50,000 buyout.

The 29-year-old Humber pitched a perfect game in a 4-0 win over the Seattle Mariners last April 21. It was the highlight of a 5-5 season in which the right-hander made 26 appearances, 16 of them starts.